The Islamic State group said it was behind a deadly car bomb attack on Italy's consulate in the Egyptian capital Saturday, and warned Muslims to stay away from such places. "Soldiers of the Islamic State in Cairo were able to detonate a parked booby-trapped vehicle laden with 450 kg (990 pounds)of explosives at the headquarters of the Italian consulate,the SITE Intelligence Group quoted an IS tweet as saying.
"We advise Muslims to stay away from these security dens,because they are legitimate targets for strikes of the mujahedeen the statement added. Health ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the blast killed a civilian and wounded nine people,including policemen and passers-by. It was the first attack on a foreign mission in Egypt since jihadists began a campaign against the country's security forces two years ago following a crackdown on Islamists.
The early morning explosion was heard across the city and wrecked the facade of the building, part of a large complex that also includes a social club and a school. The consulate, near the prosecutor's office and supreme court in central Cairo, had been closed for the weekend.